Quality control packaging container

Abstract

A packaging container or blank therefor, suitable for carrying out quality control of the packaging container or packaging container blank, includes a package or blank having one or more poles ( 12 ) for interconnection with electric quality control equipment ( 24 ). The packaged product ( 20 ) will be directly or indirectly accessible, whereby both the quality of the packed product and the tightness of the surrounding packaging container ( 1 ) may be determined in a rational and partly automated manner. This is of particular importance in the production of aseptic packaging containers for, for instance, ready-made, heat-treated soups or similar foods.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A packaging container useful for non-destructive quality control of the packaging container or contents thereof comprising: 
       a wall formed into a container having an interior;  
       at least one pole for connection to electric measurement equipment, the pole comprising two spaced apart electrically conductive bridges connecting the interior of the packaging container with its ambient surroundings, the bridges positioned at opposite ends of the container.  
     
     
       2. The packaging container as claimed in claim  1 , wherein the bridges extend through and are connected in bacteria-tight bond to the wall of the packaging container. 
     
     
       3. The packaging container as claimed in claim  1 , wherein the bridges extend through and are liquid-tight sealed in a sealing joint disposed in the packaging container wall. 
     
     
       4. The packaging container as claimed in claim  3 , wherein the sealing joint has a width, and wherein the bridges are of greater length than the width of the sealing joint. 
     
     
       5. The packaging container as claimed in claim  1 , wherein each of the bridges include an electric conductor which, along a part of its length, includes an electrically insulating layer. 
     
     
       6. The packaging container as claimed in claim  5 , wherein the electrically insulating layer comprises a thermoplastic material. 
     
     
       7. The packaging container as claimed in claim  6 , wherein the electrically insulating layer is polyethylene. 
     
     
       8. The packaging container as claimed in claim  5 , wherein the conductor comprises a material which is inert in contact with the contents. 
     
     
       9. The packaging container as claimed in claim  8 , wherein the conductor comprises nickel. 
     
     
       10. A blank useful for the production of a packaging container comprising: 
       a sheet-shaped packaging material having a side edge; and  
       two spaced apart electrically conductive bridges connected to at least one side of the material, the bridges extended beyond the side edge.  
     
     
       11. A blank in accordance with claim  10 , wherein the bridges are folded around the side edge.